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The South Lake Tahoe City Council appointed City Councilman Tom Davis to serve as mayor for the next year after swearing in two council members Tuesday.

City Clerk Susan Alessi swore in new Councilwoman JoAnn Conner and incumbent Councilman Hal Cole following their victories in the November election.

The council unanimously voted for Davis to serve as mayor and Hal Cole to serve as mayor pro tem after the swearing-in ceremony. Each will serve one-year terms. The primary role of the mayor is to run City Council meetings. The mayor pro tem serves as the head of the council in the mayor's absence.

During opening remarks as mayor Tuesday, Davis countered comments he's heard about the city dying.

He highlighted several projects that are expected to start in the next year, including the Harrison Avenue project, sidewalks and lighting along some of Pioneer Trail, bike path upgrades and the Bijou Erosion Control Project.

Davis also said he supported the development of a hotel buyback program encouraging the purchase of run-down lodging properties so they can be turned into small parks or open space.

He said he would also like to experiment with the Tahoe Transportation District to determine the feasibility of free bus service.

Each of the ideas is part of the South Shore's transition from a primarily gaming-based economy to a primarily recreation-based economy, Davis said.

"Recreation has always been important to this community and it's going to become more important," Davis said. "It's the answer."